Paliam Dutch Palace is located at Chennamangalam at Ernakulam District. It was the residence of the famous Paliyath Achans and now used as a museum that depicts the Dutch architecture. The eldest male member of the Paliyath family was described as Paliyath Achan. They were the prime ministers of the Maharaja of Kochi. During the 16th century when the Portuguese attacked Kochi and the life of Raja was under threat then Paliyath Achan escorted the king to Chennamangalam and saved him from the enemies. As an appreciation to the services extended by Paliyath Achan the Dutch gifted the Palace to him after renovation. It is believed that half of the kingdom was with the Paliyam family in Kochi. The palace is a monument of the Dutch architecture and artefacts. The main building is 450 years old and other buildings in the compound are around 60-300 years old. The building has richly carved wooden staircases and balustrades that demonstrate the Dutch influence in the construction field. A rich collection of ancient documents, swords, religious sacraments, rifles and gift items by the foreign dignitaries are preserved in the palace. The elocution stand (prasanga peedam) of Paliyath achan is displayed at the first floor passage. The Paliyam family had a rich collection of manuscripts in Malayalam and Sanskrit in earlier times. Those were donated to Kerala University and Thripunithura Hill Palace Museum at the time of family partition. Famous musician Paliyath Jayachandran (melody thampuran) belongs to Paliyath family.
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